Maricopa — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Maricopa’s zoning ordinance regulates landscaping and screening primarily through citywide development standards in Title 17 and through project-specific design review conditions. The code addresses minimum landscaped area, tree requirements, irrigation design, screening of storage and refuse areas, and limits on fences, walls, and barbed wire by zoning district. Applicants should read these rules together with the base district regulations in Maricopa Zoning and the city’s development standards.

Most sites must landscape at least 5% of the gross lot area, use drought-suited plant palettes, and screen storage, utilities, and trash so they are not visible from the public realm within three years of planting.

Citywide landscaping and screening standards (Title 17)

• Minimum landscaped area and screening intent. All exterior areas not used for parking, storage, driveways, walkways, or loading must be landscaped; at least 5% of the gross lot area must be landscaped. Landscaping must be used to screen storage, trash enclosures, parking, and utilities; screening should achieve the intended visual block within three years. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, Landscape Development Standards).
• Tree standards. Provide at least one 15-gallon tree per 20 feet of street frontage in planters; parking-lot trees must be species that form a full head on a single trunk. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, Landscape Development Standards).
• Irrigation design. The ordinance requires a Landscape Documentation Package with an irrigation plan; use efficient systems (e.g., drip, mini-spray), automatic controllers, matched precipitation, and separate valves by water-use zones; avoid overspray onto hardscape and on narrow strips and medians; water meters are required for new services. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, Landscape Development Standards).
• Parking lot shading. Uncovered lots with 8+ spaces must be planted to achieve 40% shade of stalls and aisles within 15 years; plan for roughly one tree per eight spaces. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, Parking Lot Shading Requirements).
• Screening of outdoor storage and refuse. Outdoor storage in commercial, industrial, or special districts must be screened on three sides with a solid, opaque, impact‑resistant wall at least 5 ft high, with a 5‑ft opaque gate on the fourth side; similar 5‑ft decorative wall/gate enclosure is required for multi‑family and nonresidential refuse areas. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, General Development Standards).
• Screening of equipment. Ground and wall‑mounted equipment serving industrial, commercial, or office uses must be screened with solid walls and/or landscaping, and not located in front of a building. Roof equipment must be screened from public view with continuous, compatible materials. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, General Development Standards).
• Design review can add conditions. Through design review, the Planning Director may require screening, buffering, fences/walls, landscape installation/maintenance, and erosion control to ensure compatibility with surroundings (§ 17.2.80).
• Scenic resources. In scenic areas, projects must preserve the visual setting, maintain natural open space parallel to the roadway, and minimize view obstruction (§ 17.10.280). While not a planting palette, these rules influence where/what screening and landscaping are appropriate.

Fences, walls, and barbed wire (citywide baseline)

• Maximum heights. Within required rear or interior side setbacks, fences and walls may not exceed 6 ft unless a conditional use permit is approved (§ 17.10.90).
• Barbed wire limits by district. Barbed wire or sharp‑point wire is prohibited in the DC and NC districts. In GC, HC, I, and CF, limited barbed wire (max three strands, ≤1 ft above a minimum 6‑ft fence or wall) may be allowed; any such fencing must sit at least 25 ft from a front or street‑side property line unless the Planning Director approves otherwise (§ 17.10.90).
• Noise/screen walls. Where sound attenuation or visual screening is needed to meet General Plan policies, placement and design of taller walls may be required; some sites may need a variance for height (§ 17.10.90). See variances and exceptions.

District-by-district: how landscaping and screening apply

Below summarizes where the ordinance explicitly modifies screening/landscape expectations by district. Base use lists and dimensional standards live in Maricopa Zoning; this page focuses on landscaping and screening touchpoints.

R-A (Residential Agricultural)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards affecting landscaping/screening:
  • Fences/walls up to 6 ft in required rear/interior side yards (§ 17.10.90).
  • For subdivisions, each new lot’s front and street side yard must be landscaped prior to final inspection: at least one 15‑gallon tree, a planter covering 10% of yard area, and sod with a basic automatic irrigation set; alternatives need Planning Director approval (§ 17.2.80, Residential Subdivision Land Use Design Criteria).
  • Multi‑family refuse (if any) must be in a 5‑ft decorative, gated enclosure. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Where it applies: Citywide R-A zoning. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1 (Single-Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Same fence height baseline as above (§ 17.10.90).
  • Subdivision front-yard landscape/irrigation requirement as above (§ 17.2.80).
• Where it applies: Citywide R‑1 zoning. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-2 (Two-Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Fence/wall height baseline (§ 17.10.90).
  • Multi‑family refuse enclosures screened with 5‑ft walls/gates. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Where it applies: Citywide R‑2 zoning. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-3 (Multiple-Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Fence/wall height baseline (§ 17.10.90).
  • Refuse enclosures screened with 5‑ft walls/gates for multi‑family. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Where it applies: Citywide R‑3 zoning. Verify with the jurisdiction.

DC (Downtown Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Barbed wire prohibited (§ 17.10.90).
  • Outdoor storage (if any) must be fully screened with 5‑ft opaque walls/gates. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
  • Site landscaping minimums and parking‑lot shade apply citywide. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.

NC (Neighborhood Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Barbed wire prohibited (§ 17.10.90).
  • Screening of storage/refuse as above. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.

GC (General Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Barbed wire allowed only as three strands ≤1 ft above a minimum 6‑ft fence/wall, set back ≥25 ft from front/street‑side property lines unless otherwise approved (§ 17.10.90).
  • Service stations next to residential must install a decorative 6‑ft masonry wall; no wall above 40 inches within 5 ft of a driveway entrance (Specific Use standards; section number not in retrieved scans).
  • Storage/refuse screening and parking‑lot shade rules apply. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.

HC (Highway Commercial)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards: Same as GC for barbed wire and general screening (§ 17.10.90).

I (Industrial)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Limited barbed wire permitted as in GC/HC (§ 17.10.90).
  • Outdoor storage must be screened by 5‑ft opaque walls/gates; equipment must be screened and not placed in front of buildings (Specific § not visible; Chapter 10).

CF (Community Facilities)

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Limited barbed wire permitted with the same dimensional constraints as GC/HC/I and street setbacks (§ 17.10.90).
  • Refuse and equipment screening rules apply (Chapter 10). Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.

A (Agricultural)

• Purpose and intent. The A district preserves agricultural uses and buffers incompatible development (§ 17.7.10–§ 17.7.20).
• Key standards affecting landscaping/screening: Citywide fence/wall rules apply; scenic resource protections may constrain placement and height of screening where applicable (§ 17.10.90; § 17.10.280).

Employment Districts

• Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • When an off‑street parking area fronts a designated “visual corridor,” a screen at least 2 ft in height (walls, berms, landscaping, or combination) must be installed between the right‑of‑way and the parking area. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Employment Districts).

Citywide landscaping and screening quick guide

Process triggers and enforcement

• Design review can condition landscaping, screening, and buffering on nonresidential and some residential projects (§ 17.2.80).
• No certificate of occupancy is issued until required landscaping is installed; temporary C of O may be granted with security until weather permits completion. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific § (Chapter 10, Enforcement & Penalties).

Checklist

• Confirm your base zoning and whether your site lies in a scenic area or visual corridor (overlay districts and § 17.10.280).
• Provide a Landscape Documentation Package with planting and irrigation plans meeting Chapter 10 standards. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Show at least 5% of gross lot area landscaped, including frontage trees and drought-suited plant palette. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Demonstrate parking-lot shade compliance (40% in 15 years) for lots with 8+ stalls. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Detail screening of outdoor storage and refuse with required walls and gates. Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• Confirm fence/wall heights and any barbed wire limits by district (§ 17.10.90).
• If a service station or similar commercial use near housing, include a 6‑ft decorative masonry wall (Chapter 11). Not found in retrieved materials for a specific §.
• If needed, pursue relief via variances and exceptions for wall heights or alternative screening approaches (§ 17.10.90; § 17.2.60 variance findings referenced).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building or renovating in Maricopa, plan on landscaping at least 5% of your lot, planting trees along the street and in larger parking lots, and enclosing trash and storage areas so they’re not visible from the street. Fences and walls over 6 ft in side/rear yards generally need special approval, and barbed wire is banned downtown and in neighborhood commercial areas but allowed with tight limits in general/highway commercial, industrial, and civic facility districts.

Source References

• § 17.2.80 Design Review — conditions may include screening/buffering, fences/walls, landscaping.
• § 17.10.90 Fences and Walls — heights in setbacks; district-specific barbed wire limits.
• § 17.10.280 Scenic Resources — development and view protection criteria influencing landscaping.
• Chapter 10, Landscape Development Standards — planting, irrigation, and parking-lot shade requirements. § Not found in retrieved materials.
• Chapter 10, Screening of Storage and Refuse — 5‑ft walls/gates for storage and refuse enclosures. § Not found in retrieved materials.
• Chapter 10, Equipment Screening — ground/roof equipment screening. § Not found in retrieved materials.
• Chapter 11, Service Stations — 6‑ft decorative wall next to residential. § Not found in retrieved materials.

Retrieved passages

• Maricopa Zoning Code (Chapter 17.13) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 10) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 2) High relevance show source text
• CEC § 17.2.60 (Section 17.2.60) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (Section and) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 10) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (Chapter 47.20.11) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 10) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 10) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (section to) High relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (CHAPTER 2) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 47.10.90.2 (CHAPTER 10) Medium relevance show source text
• Maricopa Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 17.2.80 Design Review — conditions may include screening/buffering, fences/walls, landscaping. (§ 17.2.80)
• § 17.10.90 Fences and Walls — heights in setbacks; district-specific barbed wire limits. (§ 17.10.90)
• § 17.10.280 Scenic Resources — development and view protection criteria influencing landscaping. (§ 17.10.280)
• Chapter 10, Landscape Development Standards — planting, irrigation, and parking-lot shade requirements. § Not found in retrieved materials. (Chapter 10)
• Chapter 10, Screening of Storage and Refuse — 5‑ft walls/gates for storage and refuse enclosures. § Not found in retrieved materials. (Chapter 10)
• Chapter 10, Equipment Screening — ground/roof equipment screening. § Not found in retrieved materials. (Chapter 10)
• Chapter 11, Service Stations — 6‑ft decorative wall next to residential. § Not found in retrieved materials. (Chapter 11)
• Maricopa_ZoningCode.md